AMD Ryzen 7 1700x vs Intel Core i7 7700k – Which is the Best CPU?

Intel and AMD have been rivals in the field of processors for longest time. They are known for having produced some of the best CPU(Click Here for two of the best CPUs comparison) we are using today, and they continue to churn out even more technologically advanced CPUs.

In this article, we place these manufacturers head to head once again. We compare the very much hyped Ryzen 7 1700x and the flagship i7 7700k and see which one is worth splurging on.

Features and Specs

Ryzen 7 1700x CPU has 8 cores, whereas Core i7 7700k has 4. Despite this, the latter processor is much more expensive than the former. This is because the number of cores is not the only thing that is responsible for a chip’s performance anymore. Let us take a look at the other factors you need to take note of.

Clock Speed

One of the biggest differences between two lies in their clock speeds. Ryzen 7 1700x has a base clock of 3.4 GHz, and Core i7 7700k has a base clock of 4.2 GHz. These have 3.8 GHz and 4.5 GHz Boost.

Clock speed used to be the one parameter that determines the capability of a processor. With the development of multi-core CPUs, clock speed is not as important anymore, but it remains relevant nonetheless.

RAM speeds of Ryzen 7 1700x and Core i7 7700k are 2667 MHz and 2400 MHz, respectively. This discrepancy means that Ryzen 7 1700x can support faster multitasking and better overall system performance. They can support maximum RAMs of 128 GB (Ryzen 7 1700x) and 64 GB (Core i7 7700k).

Threads

Core i7 7700k has hyperthreading, which means that its 4 cores perform with the capacity of 8 threads. It is nevertheless outdone by Ryzen 7 1700x CPU’s 16 threads.

number of threads is not the only determinant of chip performance, but it is an important factor nevertheless. To put it simply, the more threads a chip has, the more it can do at a time. You want a large number of threads if you tend to do a lot of processing-heavy tasks, such as rendering.

Cache

Ryzen 7 1700x’s cache is 768 KB (L1), 4 MB (L2), and 16 MB (L3). That of Core i7 7700k is 256 KB (L1), 1 MB (L2), and 8 MB (L3). cache is not a major consideration in comparing processors, but you would always do best with a large cache. This is for allocating the workload, so the larger cache, the faster the system.

Integrated Graphics

Core i7 7700k is a lot more expensive than Ryzen 7 1700x. The difference depends on where you look, but there is a chance that this discrepancy will be offset anyway by purchase of a graphics card. This is because Ryzen 7 1700x has no integrated graphics, whereas Core i7 7700k has Intel HD Graphics 630.

TDP

TDP stands for thermal design power. This is the amount of power that the processor needs to dissipate heat. The lower the TDP, the more efficient CPU’s cooling system and thus the less time it needs to cool down. Ryzen 7 1700x has a TDP of 95 w, and Core i7 7700k has 91 w. The difference is negligible.

Tri-gate Transistors

We figured it is worth knowing anyway that Ryzen 7 1700x does not have tri-gate transistors and Core i7 7700k has them. It is an Intel technology, after all. What tro-gate transistors do is enable operation with reduced power consumption and increased system speed.

NX Bit

This feature serves as protection from malicious attacks. You can find this on Core i7 7700k but not on Ryzen 7 1700x.

Similar Features

There are numerous similarities between Ryzen 7 1700x and Core i7 7700k. They have the same semiconductor size of 14 nm, which is a sufficiently small size that ensures they use recent technology.

They also both support 64-bit systems. This means they let you use a wider range of applications than 32-bit operating systems enable you to. Overall performance is also a lot faster.

Both chips also have AES, a technology that allows for rapid encryption and decryption. These two CPUs can be overclocked, which means you are free to optimize and speed up performance, especially during gaming.

Both Ryzen 7 1700x and Core i7 7700k utilize dynamic frequency scaling. As the name suggests, this technology scales down the frequency when handling light workloads to conserve power and lessen noise.

Ryzen 7 1700x and Core i7 7700k both use hyperthreading, which means that each core can work on two sets of instructions (“threads”) at once instead of just one.

Both processors use 2 memory channels and support hardware-assisted virtualization. They use PCIe version 3, FMA3, F16C, MMX, AVX, and SSE version 4.2. All of these help improve the overall speed and efficiency of your system.

Which One to Buy?

As expected, Ryzen 7 1700x and Core i7 7700k are similar in a lot of ways, but they do have some gaping differences between them. However, these discrepancies are not necessarily bad in our opinion. They are just either useful to you or not. We think it all depends on what you plan to build exactly, your usage pattern, and the intensity and quantity of the processing you do.

In summary, Ryzen 7 1700x wins in terms of number of cores, number of threads, clock speed, RAM speed, cache, and RAM capacity. Meanwhile, Core i7 7700k wins in terms of integrated graphics, TDP, and use of tri-gate transistors and NX Bit.